I am a product of the American public school system. I hail from a small town in Rhode Island, and I'm more than proud of where I come from. However, I'm not proud of the way our public school system has maniacally broken down students in a way that can't- and shouldn't be tolerated.

Imagine being a bright sixteen year old that's interested in taking rigorous courses that challenge you and would look fantastic on your college transcript. You have aspirations of completing a bachelor's degree, then potentially going on to pursue a career in law. Then, imagine sitting with your guidance counselor at an unnamed high school to pick said classes, only for that person to utter the words "you should really rethink law school, you might not be cut out for that." Then to add insult to injury, a pamphlet for the school's cosmetology program is slapped on the desk in front of you.

There's nothing wrong with going to school to be a cosmetologist. I know some amazing, lovely people that are hair dressers and they make a fine living doing it. But what kind of person, a person who's supposed to encourage and guide children nonetheless, tells a young woman who's interested in law that she should rethink and pursue hairdressing instead?

The girl that was meant to be discouraged was me. I'm proud to say that I never for a second let that guidance counselor dictate the goals that I chose to pursue. If there's any message that we as young adults can take from that experience, it's that no opinion of you held by someone else should hold you back from pursuing what your heart desires. On the same token, it's incredibly important to acknowledge that we are the educators, guidance counselors, school psychologists and mentors of the future. It will eventually be our responsibility to ensure the success and motivation of our youth.

Be the change that we want to see in our youth. Encourage, cultivate creativity and give your students the avenues to pursue what they desire and what they're capable of. You never know who they might become.